Incompetent heads

Capability procedures and sacking of teachers may be necessary, but what are we to do about incompetent headteachers (Where is your headteacher today? 6 July)? Heads who regularly leave early on Friday and arrive late on Monday; who after three years have not ensured up-to-date policies are in place; who leave after three years so that they escape the next Ofsted inspection at which they could be held responsible for any lack of progress? Teaching staff have to hang themselves first, or grin and bear it, hopeful that the next head will be an improvement.Primary school teacher(name and address supplied)

Academy dogma

As a chair of governors in Sandwell I object to comments made by Pank Patel (So, will you apply for academy status? 1 July). No credible evidence exists to suggest that academies, or the proposed free schools, perform better than community schools; in fact, some academies have failed Ofsted inspections. But if outstanding schools become academies it creates the impression that academies are a more successful type of school.

The setting up of free schools in old hospitals, warehouses and retail premises will incur significant expense and these are totally unsuitable sites. As funding for schools depends on pupil numbers many schools will become unviable and local choice will be eroded.

Free schools will divide communities and further fragment our society. The fact that they will be exempt from the requirements of the national curriculum means that any comparison between community schools and free schools will be erroneous. This is policy is based on dogma not sound educational logic.Julian Donaldson, Sandwell

No private solution

When I was at school in the 70s and 80s we made do with terrapin huts. That seems like a better idea than subsidising private schools (A place for children, a bail-out for schools, 6 July). If their pupil numbers are dropping then they'll have to charge more to families who can afford it – or, horror of horrors, close.

And what of the kids? When the supply of places in the state sector returns to balance, those with free private school places would have the funding withdrawn. The kids may not want to move schools and parents may not want to try to find the money to keep them there.Trevor JohnsonBedminster, Bristol

Outside the walls

I have no difficulty with Jonathan Wolff's proposition that the University of London degree is prestigious, but take issue with his desire to restrict access to qualifications of leading universities to those fortunate enough to be admitted and able to afford the attendant living costs and fees (Distance learning may not bridge the social divide, 6 July).

There are many reasons why people with strong potential are unable to study as internal students of prestigious universities. But if they take the harder route implied by learning outside the walls of a top university, does this mean they should be denied the possibility of entering an exam that assesses the standards they have achieved on the same basis as internal students?

Of course, if qualifications are genuinely demanding, the numbers able to achieve these will be limited. But surely it is better that this should be based on accessibility and merit, not the good fortune of, at the age of 18 or so, having been successful in a demanding selection process while also having the resources to locate at the university without the need to engage in paid employment.Jonathan KyddUniversity of London